I found this tin ypic on my HD. Merkava 1 with M48 turret?
2 Likes
That gets my attention . Do you have any more reference on it?
Sorry but no. Maybe Reluctant Renegade can chime in?
1 Like
Very brief mention in Dr. Manasherobâs âMerkava Siman 1 Tanks in IDF Service, Part 1â. Also a small pic from above (page 17). This is the first functioning hull, made from cutting up a Shot that was damaged from the 6-Day War. It had different turrets over time, including the M48 turret.
about a quarter way down this page:
https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/59_patton_fake_tanks
https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/modern/Israel/Merkava_M48.jpg
Pinterest:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/dc/c2/47/dcc2476a6ee6b712369faa0b74d011f3.jpg
I have the old Tamiya Merkava kit. Why not adding an M48 turret and a 105mm L7?
yeah, go for it.
Probably a a modified Centurion hull as well.
A heavily modified Shoât hull was used to test the engine forward concept with the tank actually travelling âbackwardsâ.
This is wooden Merkava mock-up based on a Shoât hull:
The one in the OPâs picture though is already a purpose built hull (for testing the engine, suspension and transmission I guess), with an M48 turret added as a counterweight. Probably converted from a Shoât hull.
Thatâs how a âproperâ Merkava prototype looks like:
1 Like
I think so too.